Printing-press.



No. 70mm. Patented Aug. I9, |902'.l

S. G. GUSS.

'PRINTING PRESS.

(Appumim und Apk. as, 1891.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet Il.

"m: Humps PUERS a.. #Hem-Lima.. WASHINGYON; n. c.

No. 70mm. Patented Aug. I9, i902.

-s. e, GDSS.- PRlNTlNv PRESS.

(Application led Apr. 23,l 1397.1

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet v2.

me nonms msn: oa. nmolurnoffwnsmumou. n, c,

N0. 70`7,|0|. 'Patented Allg. [9,1902.

l S. G. GUSS.

PRINTING PRESS.

Application um. Apr.v 2a. 159m 4 Sheets-Shest 3( (No Model.)

Patented Aug. I9, |902. S. G. GUSS. l PRINTING PRESS.

(Applieauon med Apr. 23, 189m' 4 Sheets-Shen 4,-

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mlllllllllllIRII'IIIIIIIIHHI I y 'HHIIIIHIIHIIIIIIHIMIHHIIllllll "UHU IIIII 'MHIIJIHJIIIIJ'H UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE;

SAMUEL G. Goss, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNOR To THE Goss PRINTING PREss COMPANY, OE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

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PRm'rlNemma-ss.4r

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,101, dated August 1.9, 1902.4

` Application niet April 23,1397'. serai No. 633,421. (No man.)

To all whom, it may concern: I

Be it known that I, SAMUEL Gr. Goss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Priming-Presses, of which'the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to printing-presses, and particularly to presses composed of a number of setsof printing mechanism mounted 4in a common frame and arranged to operate as asingle machine and to be driven from a common source of power. In presses of this description it has heretofore been attempted to so construct-the driving connections that `the different ,sets of printing mechanism could beoperated as independent presses,

van arrangement the,v desirability of ywhich is obvious, as otherwiseif the paper to be printed required the Iuse of one only of the sets of printing mechanism it would be nec'- essary, nevertheless, to run the entire press` Previous efforts kalong this line, however, so

far as I am aware, have been unsuccessful,

as while presseshavebeen produced in which Q the different sets of printing mechanism have been capable of'foperating to' produce independent as well as joint products and could in some cases be stopped independently theyk could not be started independently, it being necessary to stop the entire press before asetof printing mechanism theretofore idle could be started up, thus negativing'to a great eX- tent the advantages lof' the construction.

- My present invention in asecondary sense consists in `certain-l improvements by -which the different sets of printing mechanism may each be startedas well as stopped independently of the other.` sets of printing mechanism and without stopping such other sets of printing mechanismkas might bein operation at the time, thereby making it possible to run the different sets V'of printingmechanism as separate or distinct presses, as desired. Primarily, however, my present invention hasv for its object to provide a new and improved press of the general type above referred to and having three or more sets of printing mechanism inwhichthe different sets of an arrangement.

of operation as distinct presses,- but the dif-` ferent sets of printing mechanism or certain a single press with a pluralityof sets `oi" cylinders and such sets of printing mechanism so ycoupled Vtogether be started, stopped, or otherwise operated as -a single machine and l printing mechanism will not only be capable -r independently of the other sets of printingy l mechanism ,belonging to the machine as a whole;` This operation makes Yit-.possible and practicable'to combine in a single machinea large number of sets fof printing mechanism, as in view of my invention by .I

such combination the capabilities of the ress are in no way vrestricted `and all the a van; tages lof the combination are retained with; out the disadvantages which have heretofore stood in thewayofthe'practicability of such To this end myinvention primarily consists mechanis'mlmounted in a common frame and havingl connecting, devices for connecting themv independently `to a source of power, with separate mechanismby which a-plural- Ain providing a plurality of sets of printing ity of such sets of printing mechanism may be coupled together, Vthus making thesets so ,coupled in effecta single setv or press and capable of operation as such and independently of the'other sets lof printing mechanism which go to make up the machine as awhole.-r

By sets of printingimechanism as herein used I mean to include notalone'two pairs of form and impression cylinders, Qblltjalsio sets yof printing mechanism comprising multiples of a single set asfwell fas lsuch other formsof printing mechanism asare capable of use in the manner stated. l j i My invention further consists inproviding a press having the connecting mechanism` above described, with ymeans for assembling and folding sheets or webs fromfthedifferent printing mechanisms and for folding lthe product from two or more ofthe dierent sets ofv printing mechanism Ltogetherindependently of the pro'ductof other setsof printing mechanism, thedifferent folding devices be? ing so arranged that they may beoperated independently of each other and in connection with different sets of the various sets of printing mechanism which'go to make up the press as a whole.

My invention also comprises certain improvements in structural details, which will be hereinafter pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the following is a detailed description of the embodiment therein shown of my invention.

Figure 1 is an end elevation of part of a press, showing my improvements; and Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a press, illustrating my improvements; and Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same.

I shall now describe the primary and secondary features of my invention, referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, wherein I have shown only four sets of printing mechanism.

3 indicates the frame of the press.

4 5, 6 7, 8 9, 10 11 indicate the impressioncylinders of foursets of printing mechanism. 12 13, 14 15, 16 17, 18 19 indicate the formcylinders of such sets of printing mechanism.

2O 21, 22 23, 24 25, 26 27 indicate a number of gears mounted on the shafts of the impression-cylinders 4 5, 6 7, 8 9, 10 11, respectively.

28 indicates a pinion which meshes with the gears20and 22. 29indicatesasimilarpinion, which meshes with the gears 22 and 24.

30 indicates a pinion which meshes with the gears 24 and 26.

'lhe pinions 28 29 30 are mounted on elongated studs 3l 32 33, respectively, and are movable upon said studs out of their engagement with their respective gears. It is evident that when the pinions 2S 29 30 are in mesh with their respect-ive gears all the sets of printing mechanism will be connected together and may be driven from a common shaft.

34 indicates a gear which meshes with the gear 2O and with a gear 35, mounted upon a drive-shaft 36, preferably arranged transversely below the press. The gear 34 is mounted upon a stud 37 and is movable thereupon out of mesh with the gears 2O and 35.

38 39 indicate fast and loose pulleys on the shaft 36.

40` indicates a beveled gear mounted upon the shaft 36.

41 indicates a vertical. shaft arranged beside the press at the opposite side from that at which are arranged the gears 2O to 27. The shaft 41 carries a series of beveled gears 42 43 44 45, which are keyed thereto and may be made movable vertically thereupon, although such vertical movement is not essential. Collars 46 47 48 49 serve to hold said gears, respectively, up in operative position.

50 51 52 53 indicate the shafts of the cylinders 5 7 9 11, respectively.

54 55 56 57 indicate a series of friction clutch members loosely mounted upon the ends of the shafts 50 51 52 53, respectively, and having beveled gears 5S 59 60 61 on their outer faces, which beveled gears mesh, respectively, with the beveled gears 42 43 44 45.

62 63 64 65 indicate a series of beveled friction clutch members which are mounted upon the shafts 50 51 52 53, respectively, and move longitudinally thereof. Feathers 66 are provided, one on each of said shafts, to cause the clutch members 62 63 64 65 to rotate therewith. The beveled clutch members 62 63 64 are adapted to engage clutch-arms 67, carried by collars 68, to connect said clutch members and the clutch members 54 55 56 57, respectively.

NVhile the form of friction-clutch shown is that which Iprefer to use, I do not Wish to limit myself to the use of such clutch, as other suitable friction-clutches may be used. Furthermore,as regards the primary feature h eretofore pointed out, broadly considered my invention is not limited to the use of frictionclutches, as other suitable connecting mechanism adapted for making connection with moving driving mechanism may be used. Friction-clutches, however, I consider the best for the purpose.

The clutch members 62 63 64 65 are moved upon their respective shafts by means of levers 69 70 71 72, respectively, said levers beingconnected by connecting-rods 73 to a series of hand-levers 74 75 76 77 at the other side of the press. The levers 74 75 '76 77 are preferably arranged at one side of the press, as shown; but they may be otherwise arranged, if desired.

78 indicates a beveled gear which is mounted upon the lower end of the shaft 41 and meshes with the beveled gear 40.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have illustrated a more complete press showing the arrangement of the folding devices and the mechanism for operating the same so that webs from different sets of printing mechanism may be assembled, or when two or more adjacent sets of printing mechanism are coupled together and operated as single press independently of the other sets of printing mechanism the webs from such coupled sets of printing mechanism may be assembled and folded independently of the folding devices of the other sets of printing mechanism, which may be operating or silent, as desired.

The construction of the folding apparatus and the mechanism for driving the same are as follows:

8O 81 82 indicate formers having nippingrollers 83 at their apexes.

84 indicates cutting-cylinders, which carry gears 85, only one gear being shown, however, with each pair of cylinders. One of the gears 85 of each pair of cutting-cylinders meshes with a gear 86, which is connected to a beveled gear S6, the latter meshing with a gear- 87, mounted upon a shaft 88, each of said shafts carrying near its ,outer end a gear 89 and a beveled gear 90, as shown in Fig. 4. The beveled gears 90 of the diiferentzfold ers 8O 81 82 mesh, respectively, with bev- IOS IIO

eled gears 91-92 93, mounted upon a vertical shaft 94, as shown in Fig. l4. The beveledgears 91 92 93 are vertically'adjustable upon the shaft 94 and are held in place by collars 95.A The various shafts 88 are driven by gears. 96, which mesh with the gears 89, the gears 96 being driven through the instrumentality of gears 97 98 99, which form a train of gearing connecting said shafts 88 with the printing mechanisms, as indicated in Fig. 3. One of the gears 96, 97, 98, or 99 of each train is ad- ,j ustable, so that it may be moved out of mesh with the other gears of the train in order that the driving mechanism of each folder may be cut off when desired from the printing mechanism, by which it is arranged to be directly driven. For this purpose in the drawings I ,have shown the gears 97 as being mounted printing mechanism, forming three distinct presses, the pinions 91 92 93 are moved out of meshwith their respective vpinions 90, each folder being driven through a train of gears connecting it directly with one of the sets ofv printing mechanism.

The operation 'of my improved printingpress is as follows: When it is desired to run i all the sets of printing mechanism together as one press, this may be accomplished by driving the intermeshing gears-2O 2l, 22 23,

24 25, 26 27 from the shaft 36, and, if desired,

power may be applied at both ends of the `cylinder-shafts by throwing the clutches mounted upon said shafts into operation, causing the power to be applied also through the vertical shaft 41. If it be desired to operate each of the different sets of printing `mechanism as a separate press,the intermediate pinions 28 29 30 are moved upon their respective studs out of mesh with the adjacent gears. The different sets of printing mechanism may then be driven through the Ishafts-6 and 41 by throwing the dilferent clutches into operation, and by this construction each of theseparate sets of printing `mechanism may be stopped or started independently of the others and, in fact, be operated in every respect as a distinct andy independent press. Where it is desired to make use ofthis feature of my invention, it is necessary that the connecting devices by which the different sets of printing mechanism are ,connected to the driving-shaft be so con-z vstructedthat theconnection with the driving-shaft willv not be abrupt, "starting the newly-,connected mechanism up initially at full speed, as inthat case damage to the press` would'thereby .bei broken :if .the` press were not seriously damaged. Moreover,V the sud- 1 den shock wouldy resultin injury to the other sets of-printing mechanism 'of the machine,

so that a positive unyielding connection cannot be made where it is desired to'operate the dierent sets of printing mechanism in the Vmanner just described. Again," if it be desired to operate the four sets of printing mechanismillustrated in Figs.\1 and 2 as twoindependent presses the intermediate. pinion 29 will be ymoved out 4of mesh,lthe interi mediate. pinions 28 and 30being in mesh with Then the two upper. i sets of printing mechanism will constitute fone press, the lower two constituting another their respective gears.

press, and by means of the levers 74 or 75 the lower press may be stopped orstarted, and similarly the upper pressmay be stopped or started by operating the levers `76or77.

When the dilferent sets of printing. mechanism are operated as independentV presses, the

would almost inevitably result,- as the web gear 34 should be moved out of mesh with the gear 20. Thetwo lowerfolders 80 S1 would bel operated with the two sets of printing mechthe gears 90, so that the two folding mechanisms would be entirely independent of eachL other and dependentfor their operation upon the sets of printing mechanism to which they were connected. It will thus be seen thaty when two sets of printing mechanism are anism through their respective trains of gears, the beveled gears 91 92 being out of mesh with IOO coupled together, as above described, the press composed of such coupled printing mechanisms is controlled by a single leveras, for instance, if `the two upper printing mechanismsinFigs.1 and 2 of the accompany-v Y ing drawings were to be vcoupled together" .they could be controlled by operating either;

the lever 76 or the lever 77, whichever lever" being used the startingor stopping of the two IIO sets ofprinting mechanism being simultai DOOUS.

This operation is an exceedinglyimy portant one, inasmuch'las where two setsof printing mechanism vare combined to form a single press and to deliver a single product it is necessary that the printed-pages shall register, and consequently very careful adjustment of "the diiiferent cylinders isnecessary before the press is started, as should'the starting of the two sets'ofprintingmechanism not be simultaneous the websfrom such.`

two sets would fail toregister. Itis therei fore impracticable to drive-two sets of print-U ing mechanism'inunison and to Istart'and stop them in unisonjwhere they areconnected` to the source of power only by independentlyoperable connecting devices..

The above-described combinationsfand arrangements are some of thosewhich may be made with apparatus embodying my invenff` ktion,'-'and various othercom'binations may be `made---as, for instance, three sets of printing mechanismmay be combinedto form a single 'press-the other set offprintingxnechanismf,

or, where more than four sets are provided, the other sets of printing mechanism being driven separately or together, in each case the different coupled sets of printing mechanism being controlled by a single clutch or other connecting device, and various combinations other than those above described may be made.

By providing means for starting and stopping the different sets of printing mechanism` independently and arranging for forming various combinations of such sets of printing mechanism many advantages are securedas, for instance, if the sets of printing mechanism are arranged as two independent presses the plates may be placed on the cylinders of one without interfering with the work of the other, or should it be necessary on account of accident to stop one press such stoppage will not affect the operation of the other. Consequently my improvements result in great economy of operation of the press, as in prior constructions Where a plurality of printing mechanisms have been driven from a common driving device, as a shaft, when it became necessary to stop one set of printing mechanism before it could be started up again all had to be stopped, and in no case have means been provided whereby a plurality ofsets of printing mechanism mounted in a common frame could be coupled together and placed under the control of a single drivingl device and then operated independently of the other sets of printing mechanism composing the press as a Whole; nor in presses of this character have folders been provided arranged to be driven independently of each other by the different sets of printing mechanism, so that the product otIeach separate set of printing mechanism when operated independently could be delivered independently of the product of the other sets of printing mechanism going to make up the entire press.

I have described my improvements in detail; but I do not Wish to be limited to the specific construction shown and described, as many variations or modifications may be made without departing from my invention. Furthermore, my invention, broadly considered, is not limited to the use of a main driving-shaft arranged as shown, as various modications of such arrangement may also be made; nor is my invention limited to the use of a vertical driving-shaft with clutches for driving the different sets of printing mechanism independently, although such arrangement is the best at present known to me.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

1. In aprinting-press,the combination with a plurality of sets ot' printing mechanism mounted one' above another in a` common frame, of a common source of power for driving said sets of printing mechanism, and means for starting and stopping one of said sets ol printing mechanism independently of the other and While such other is in motion, substantially as described.

2. In a printin g-press,the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism mounted one above another in a common frame, of a common source of power for driving said sets of printing mechanism, means for coupling together certain of said sets of printing mechanism, and means for starting and stopping such coupled sets of printing mechanism simultaneously and independently of the condition of the other set or sets of printing mechanism composing the press as a whole, substantially as described.

3. In-a printingpress,the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a driving-shaft, independently-operable devices for connecting each ot' said sets of printing mechanism to said driving-shaft while said shaft is in motion, and mechanism independent of said connecting devices for driving said sets of printing mechanism from said driving-shaft, substantially as described.

4. In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a driving-shaft, a clutch operable while the shaft is in motion for connecting one of said sets of printing mechanism to said shaft, and coupling mechanism for coupling a plurality of said sets of printing mechanism together, whereby a plurality of sets of printing mechanism may be started by operating said clutch, substantially as described.

5. In a printingpress,the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, ot' a drive-shaft, a clutch operable while the shaft is in motion for connecting one of said sets of printing mechanism to said shaft, and gears for coupling a plurality of said sets of printing mechanism together, substantially as described.

6. Ina printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, and a series of gears .connecting said sets of printing mechanism together in series, certain of said gears being movable out of engagement with other gears of the series to permitindependent operation of certain ot said sets of printing mechanism, of a driving-shaft, means for driving said gears from said driving-shaft, independent coupling devices for coupling said sets of printing mechanism independently to said driving-shaft, and means for operating said coupling devices while said shaft is in motion, substantially as described.

7 In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, and a series of gears connecting said sets of printing mechanism together in series, certain of said gears being movable out of engagement with other gears of the series to permit independent operation of certain sets of printing mechanism,

IOO

IIO

of a driving-shaft, means for driving said Y for-operatin g said coupling devices independently of one' another, substantially as described.

S. In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a horizontal driving-shaft, a vertical driving'- shaft arranged on one side of the press, a series4 of beveled pinions carried by said vertical shaft, a series of friction-clutches carried by said sets of printing mechanism and having beveled pinions adapted to mesh with said beveledpinions carried by said vertical shaft,- means for operating said friction-clutches to connect and disconnect said sets of printing mechanism with said vertical shaft, and

' means independent of said clutches for coupling together a plurality of said sets of printing mechanism, substantially as described.

9. In aprinting-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a horizontal operating said clutches to-connect and disconnect said sets of printing mechanism with said vertical shaft, a series of Working gears for driving said sets of printing mechanism, adjustable intermediate pinions for connecting said sets of printing mechanism in series and for disconnecting them, and means for driving said gears from the horizontal driving-shaft, substantially as described.

I0. In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a horizontal driving-shaft, a series of working gears carried by said sets of printing mechanism at one side of the press, adjustable intermediate pinions for connecting said gears in series and for disconnecting them, a vertical shaft, means for driving said vertical shaft, a series of independent clutches connected to said sets of printing mechanism, and means whereby said clutches may be operated `to connect them with said vertical shaft, substantially as described.

11. In a printing-press, the combination wi-th a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a drivingshaft, independently-operable devices for connecting certain of said sets of printing mechanism to said driving-shaft while said shaft is in motion, a lever for'operating each of said connecting devices, and meansindependent of said drive-shaft for coupling together certain of said sets of printing mechanism, Whereby a plurality of sets of printing mechanism may be simultaneously connected to said drive-shaft by operating a single lever,

substantially as described.

l2. In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a vertical driving-shaft, independent coupling devices for each of said sets of printing mechanism, and means for operating said coupling devices to connect or disconnect each of` said sets of printing mechanism from said vertical driving-shaft While said shaft is in motion independently of the other sets of printing mechanism, substantiallyV as described.

13.. In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, `of a vertically-arranged driving-shaft, a series of independently-operating friction-clutches for independently connecting and disconnecting said sets of printing mechanism and said driving-shaft, and levers for operating said friction-clutches, substantiallyas described.

' 14. In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a driving-shaft, independently-operable frictionclutches for connecting certain of'said sets of printing mechanism to said drive-shaft While said shaft is in motion, a lever for operating each of said clutches, and gears for coupling together certain of said sets of printing mechanism, whereby a plurality of sets of printing mechanism may be simultaneously connected to said drive-shaft by operating a single lever, substantially as described. v

15. In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism'a'rranged one above another, of means for starting and stopping different sets of printing mechanism independently, `means for coupling together certain of said sets of printing mechanism, a plurality of folding IOO IIO

mechanisms arranged one above another, and Y means for driving said folding mechanisms independently of one another and in combination with diderent sets of printing mechanism, substantially as described.

16. In a printing-press, the combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a drivingshaft, independent clutches for driving said sets of printing mechanism from said shaft,

means independent of said shaft for connecting certain of said sets of printing mechanism together, whereby a plurality of sets of printing mechanism may be started by operating a single clutch, and Vfolding mechanism operating in connection therewith, substantially as described.

I7. The combination with a set of printing mechanism, of a plurality of folding mechanisms, and means for operating said folding 4 mechanisms independently of one another from and in combination With the printing mechanism, substantially as described.

18. The combination with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism, of a folding device, and means for driving said folding device from, and in combination with, different sets of printing mechanism operating separately, substantially as described.

Io 19. In a printing-press, the combination With a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another7 and a series of gears con nectin gsaid sets of printing mechanism together in series, certain of said gears being movable out of engagement With other gears of the series to permit independent operation of certain of said sets of printing mechanism, of a driving-shaft, independent connecting devices for connecting certain of 2o said sets of printing mechanism independently to said drive-shaft, said connecting devices being operable While said shaft is in motion, substantially as described.

20. In a printing-press, the combination 2 5 with a plurality of sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another, of a Vertical driving-shaft, a series of beveled pinions carried by said shaft, friction-clutches carried by certain of said sets of printing mech- 3o anism and having beveled pinions adapted to mesh With said beveled pinions carried by said shaft, means for operating said frictionclutches to connect and disconnect said sets of printing mechanism and said shaft, and meansindependent of said shaft for coupling together a plurality of said sets of printing mechanism, substantially as described.

2l. In a printing-press the combination of three or more sets of printing mechanism arranged one above another in a common frame 4o and capable of operation as distinct and independent presses, means for coupling together certain of said sets of printing mechanism and means for starting and stopping said coupled sets and the other set or sets of printing mechanisms independently of each other, substantially as described.

22. In a printing-press the combination of a plurality of sets of printing mechanism, means for starting and stopping certain sets 5o of printing mechanism independently, a plurality of folding mechanisms and means for driving said folding mechanisms independently of each other and in combination with different sets of printing mechanism, substantially as described.

SAMUEL G. GOSS.

Witnesses:

JOHN L. JACKSON, JULIA M. BRISTOL. 

